horticultural therapy - · pdf filehorticultural therapy what is horticultural therapy?...
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Horticultural TherapyWhat is HorticulturalTherapy?Horticultural therapy incorporates
horticultural activities facilitated by a
registered therapist to achieve specific and
documented treatment goals. For example,
planting herbs helps increase sensory
stimulation, watering helps improve motor
skills, and group gardening helps decrease
isolation and depression.
Horticultural Therapy atA.G. RhodesThe Horticultural Therapy Program at A.G.
Rhodes is a component of the Therapy and
Rehabilitation Department. Our Registered
Horticultural Therapist works with groups
and individuals, and sessions take place in
resident living areas, in general “activity”
spaces, in the therapeutic gardens,
greenhouses or at bedside. Patients engage
in planting, sowing seeds, taking cuttings
and light garden maintenance during their
horticultural therapy sessions.
The program’s physical structures
include therapeutic gardens, greenhouses
and indoor fluorescent light units. There
are planters of varying heights, fragrant
plants, paved surfaces, water features and
meditation space located in the gardens.
The climate-controlled greenhouses are
designed for walker and wheelchair mobility,
and sitting and standing height benches
help facilitate gardening to accommodate
patients at various functional levels.
Surrounding the greenhouses are therapeutic
gardens with heirloom plants that stimulate
the senses and help recall past memories.
Visitors and family members are also
encouraged to visit the greenhouse and
gardens for a relaxing change of scenery
and relief from stress.
In the group rooms and rehabilitation
therapy gym, portable fluorescent light carts
are used for indoor gardening which enable
residents and patients to nurture their new
cuttings and seedlings regardless of the
weather outside. Upon discharge, patients
take home their seedlings, cuttings and
transplants in order to continue the leisure
interest that began or was reintroduced
during rehabilitation at A.G. Rhodes.
Co-Treatment with OtherDisciplinesCo-treatment between horticultural therapy
and other therapies including physical,
occupational and speech, occurs on a weekly
basis. During treatment, patient needs are
assessed and goals are established.
Horticultural therapy may assist by increasing
activity level, reintegration into a past interest,
or by decreasing stress and anxiety.
www.agrhodes.org 800-357-2980
About A.G. Rhodes A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab is Atlanta’s premier provider of therapy and rehabilitation services, short-term recovery and long-term care, operating three distinctive homes in metro Atlanta. As one of Atlanta’s oldest nonprofits, A.G. Rhodes has set the standard for serving an aging community since 1904. A.G. Rhodes Health & Rehab is ranked among The Atlanta Journal-Constitution’s Top Workplaces and our homes are included in the U.S. News & World Report’s Best Nursing Homes.
For More Information Please contact our Horticultural Therapist,Kirk Hines, HTR, at 404-286-5064 or [email protected].